Miami Dolphins: Signing Brian Waters Could Be Quick Fix to Offensive Line Issues

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 02: Brian Waters #54 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their NFL game on November 2, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Buccaneers won 30 to 27 in overtime. (Photo by: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers young and fast defense ran wild on the Miami Dolphins' offensive line on Saturday night.

In the Dolphins defense, many teams are having some offensive line issues this preseason (Detroit made New England cringe all game Saturday night as Suh and company pounded Tom Brady).

What helps the Dolphins is that big No. 77 Jake Long will be coming back for the regular season. He does not resolve all issues but anytime you add a Pro Bowler to an area of weakness it is going to help.

I give credit to the Dolphins front office for showing no signs of panic so far. However, after three straight sub-par performances by the offensive line it may be time to panic a little bit.

This is where OG Brian Waters comes into play.

First, it is time to end the John Jerry experiment. He is wasting time and reps and almost got Matt Moore killed while he was playing LT on Saturday night.

Second, it is time to end the Marc Columbo experiment. I would not mind keeping him around for some veteran depth, but he cannot be a starter for this team.

Then, the Dolphins need to sign Brian Waters, insert him at RG and move Vernon Carey back out to RT. Carey may not be the greatest RT but he is at least better than Columbo being out there.

Waters may be 34, but he is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2010 so it is not as if he is old and slow. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All Pro selection. He was also the first and only OL ever to win the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award (He won it in 2004 in a week where the Chiefs scored eight rushing touchdowns).

He has indicated that he wants to continue his career. Being an experienced veteran, he would not need a lot of time to learn the offense. What it would come down to is just how good of shape is he in.

If the Dolphins decide to do nothing, I cannot blame them. Shuffling around an offensive line usually never works out well, especially this close to opening weekend.

However, this offensive line is just not going to cut it this season.

I do not think bringing in Waters and moving Carey back outside (or even giving Lydon Murtha a look at RT) would be that crazy of an idea.